Bruce Nadel

When I talk about my dad, I often describe him as having an "intense presence." He had this energy about
him that was palpable. When he was in a room, you could feel it; there was something about him that was
very much larger than life. He was, at the same time, both inspiring and, often, quite intimidating.

His demeanor kept him from sitting still too long; there was always something to be done - something to be
built - something to be fixed. To watch him in motion was a lesson in drive. There was nothing he couldn't
do. From construction, to design, to business, nothing ever seemed to stand in his way. To call him a
Renaissance man was not hyperbole, it was simply fact.

And, while he provided for his family, he also provided for others. Unfortunately, I didn't know much about
this part of his life until after his death. But, when he died, random people would find me on the web and
tell me about how much he had changed their lives. Whether it was simply making someone feel special
or buying a computer for a struggling family, he seemed to leave a lasting, positive impact on the lives
of those he met.

I remember once when I was with my dad in a Williams-Sonoma (or a Potter Barn, or something to that effect),
he found one of the Gift Registry terminals, looked up a random couple, and bought them a gift. At the time,
I didn't get it — why buy a gift for someone you didn't know. Now, years after his death, as I continue
to meet people who tell me about how he changed their life, I realize that this was just one of the many ways
he gave back.

He used to tell me, "It's important to leave this world better than you found it." I know
for certain that he did this. And, I hope that I, too, can become this kind of person.

Words of Praise in Shoot Online

The following was printed in Shoot Online
magazine on November 25, 2005. It was not reprinted with permission, but this is my
dad - I don't ask permission for that.

The following article has been seen by over 20,000 top advertising agency creative and production
people around the world as well as executives and artisans in the production, post, music
& sound, and production services communities.

Industry Mourns Director Bruce Nadel

By Robert Goldrich

Bruce Nadel

NEW YORK—Director Bruce Nadel, whose distinctive, innovative style in
food/tabletop and live action cinematography made a major mark on the advertising
industry, died on Nov. 8 after a lengthy battle with stomach cancer. He was 60.

Nadel remained active despite the illness, recently directing jobs for Folger's
via Saatchi & Saatchi, New York, and Enova cooking oil out of Chicago Creative
Partnership. He then completed callbacks on a job—for Publix
supermarkets—the day before he was admitted to the hospital for the last time.

During his 25 years as a director, Nadel worked stateside and internationally,
turning out commercials for leading brands like McDonald's, Sears and The New York Times.
He created enduring images, including his European work for Absolut Vodka, and stateside fare
such as Nutrasweet's "Gumball." The latter, out of TBWA/Chiat/Day, New York, was
honored in the tabletop category of the Association of Independent Commercial
Producers (AICP) Show, as were other Nadel-helmed ads.

Nadel developed a lush visual style that relied on beautiful surfaces, rich
textures, sophisticated propping and a unique fluid camera technique. His
intellect and experimental outlook drove his creative thinking. He brought
tremendous energy and passion to his work. Nadel had a major hand in helping
to elevate the beauty and sensuality of food to an art form. He influenced
numerous artisans in the commercial making community.

Nadel took an atypical route to being a noted tabletop director. He started out
in the business as a freelance producer. It was a five-week project with the
late director Elbert Budin, whom Nadel described as "granddaddy of tabletop,"
that began what turned out to be a 10-year tenure with Budin's New York studio,
Ampersand. The first eight of those years, Nadel produced for Budin. The last
two, Nadel began directing projects.

Director Nadel then went out on his own, joining the former Cooper, Dennis &
Hirsh in New York. After two and a half years there, he and executive producer
Bob Ramos launched Nadel Productions, and its successor shop, OneSuch Films,
where Nadel worked for a collective 18 years.

After OneSuch closed its doors in 2002, Nadel and his exec producer there,
Rick Katzen, went on to form Nadel Productions—which later linked with
bicoastal Cohn+Co. for national representation under the banner Nadel@Cohn+Co.

The Nadel shop remains open under the aegis of Katzen, who noted that Nadel's
family would like to see the company bearing the director's name continue Bruce
Nadel's legacy. The production house features directors Ben Dolphin and Bret Wills.

The aforementioned Publix ad that Nadel started is slated to be completed by
director Charlie Cole, who's on loan from Cohn+Co., and DP John Hunter, who was
a right-hand person to Nadel.

Katzen described Nadel as "a giant... He was the biggest guy in the room but with
no ego. He was very inclusive, shooting in a collaborative way, always open to
suggestions. He left a huge imprint personally and professionally."

Nadel is survived by his wife of 32 years, Arlene; his mother Miriam "Micky" Nadel;
his brother, Dr. Scott Nadel; his five children, Ben, Emily, Zoe, Dr. Erik Cohen
and Ari Cohen; and three grandchildren, Max, Gabrielle and Sofia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to cancer awareness,
prevention or treatment charities.

I am the co-founder and lead engineer at InVision App, Inc — the world's leading prototyping,
collaboration & workflow platform. I also rock out in JavaScript and ColdFusion 24x7 and I dream about
promise resolving asynchronously.